Wedding Planning
Your Wedding Planning Timeline
Month by Month, Starting Now
The average engagement runs about fourteen months. That sounds like plenty of time until you realize bridal shops need six months for a dress and fall Saturdays book a year out. Here's the order that actually works.
12+ Months Out
Set the budget. Build the guest list (three tiers: must, hope, maybe). Start touring venues. If you find the right one early, book it. Good dates disappear fast, especially spring and fall.
9-10 Months Out
Start dress shopping. Bridal stores need four to six months for delivery, so this isn't early. Book your photographer and DJ. If your venue handles catering in-house, start the menu conversation. If not, start tasting.
6-9 Months Out
Send save-the-dates. Order invitations. Book your florist. Schedule hair and makeup trials. This is the window where the big creative decisions get made: colors, flowers, ceremony style, table layout.
2-4 Months Out
Mail invitations (six to eight weeks before the date). Schedule dress fittings. Finalize the ceremony order with your officiant. Confirm every vendor in writing.
1 Month Out
Apply for your marriage license. Final dress fitting. Write your vows if you're writing your own. Confirm the final guest count with your venue.
The Week Of
Final vendor confirmations. Deliver any personal items to the venue. Rehearsal dinner. Then stop planning. Spend time with the people you love. The week of your wedding isn't the week to optimize seating charts.